Seven Personal P’s of John 14
Jack Davis
“Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3
Jesus is speaking of some simple and exciting things in such a personal way, and they are recorded for believer’s enjoyment and encouragement. Let us consider and take them to heart.
HIS PEACE – “Let not our heart be troubled.” What wonderful care and cure for troubled hearts. There is certainly a significant increase in troubled hearts today. But Jesus said in Lk. 21:26-27, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you..” The world has so many artificial tranquilizers, that are so temporary, and contain many harmful side effects. But when we cast our care on Him, He promises that the peace that passeth understanding shall guard as with a garrison our hearts and minds - Phil 4:6-7. Most any city, state, or country of any size has a peace keeping force, but our Lord has for us powerful and personal protection of our heart and mind. Oh, how great the need. We are instructed to “let the peace of God rule (act as umpire in all decisions) in our hearts” Col. 3:15. The things happening in this troubled world, bombard us with external destroyers of an outward tranquility. But thank God for the deep settled peace that our dear Lord places within, which is our privilege to allow to reign there. He keeps in perfect peace those whose minds are stayed on Him – Isa. 26:3.
HIS PERSUASION – (the true essence of faith.) “Ye believe in God, believe also in me.” The peace that rules in our hearts is there as a result of faith. THANK GOD, we may now live by the faith of the Son of God who loved us and gave Himself for us – Gal. 2:20. Paul assures us that God has not given us the spirit for fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind. We also may know Him whom we have believed, and be persuaded that He is able to keep that which we have committed unto Him against that day – II Tim. 1:7,12. Oh, how comforting to trust in the Lord with all our heart, and not lean to our own understanding – Prov. 3:5-6.
HIS PLACE – “I go to prepare a place for you.” There are many places in the Father’s house already prepared for others by the Father, but Jesus has gone to prepare for us personally, special places.
HIS PURPOSE – “I go” He came here to go. Our dear Lord did so many wonderful things while He was here. Oh, the gracious , marvelous words that proceeded out of His mouth. He prophesied, and fulfilled prophecy, but He always knew that He was on His way to the cross. His face was set like a flint. His destiny was determined, and He would not be detoured by Satan nor men. Thank God! He finished His course, completed His circuit, and could say to His Father, “Mission accomplished.”
HIS PREPARATION “I go to prepare.” His preparation began by going to the cross, in order to prepare us for a place. Therefore we see His preparation was two fold, “for us and in us.” In this work He is changing us mightily, and inwardly – II Cor. 3:18. He is developing his life in us, bringing us to maturity. He is at work to make overcomers out of us. He is working in us the will and do of His good pleasure, having began a good work in us. He is also subduing our otherwise mindedness (Phil. 2:13, 3:15,21) as we are available, and yielded. This preparation is especially “training for reigning.” Remember these things are being done by His power unto His praise – Eph. 3:20-21; 1:6,12,14, and 2:7. This certainly delights the overcoming heart.
HIS PROMISE – “I will come again, and receive you unto myself,” Do we believe it? Are we expecting Him to keep His promise? Are we awaiting God’s Son from heaven? How personal! We read, “The Lord Himself shall descend.” His promise gives us such wonderful hope. In Him we enjoy blessed hope, living hope, glorious hope – the hope of the ages, it is in our hearts, and anchors our souls.
HIS PRESENCE -”That where I am, there ye may be also.” Glory, glory! What a pleasant presence. Shall we not sing in sweet anticipation, “In thy presence is fullness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore” – Ps. 16:11. “So shall we ever be with the Lord – I Thess. 4:17. Jesus Christ paid for our being there, our transport right into the heavenly presence of our Lord and Father. Several scriptures tell us so. The one quickened to my heart in this connection, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit – I Pet. 3:18. On the way to the cross Jesus also prayed for it. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory. Which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world” – Jn. 17:24. He expected God the Father to answer his prayer, shouldn’t we? I expect to be there, don’t you?
